Wonderful Tonight | Chords + Lyrics
Intro
||: G | D/F# | C | D :||
Verse 1
||: G | D/F# | C | D :||
It’s late in the evening, she’s wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her makeup and brushes her long blonde hair.
Chorus 1
| C | D | G D/F# | Em |
And then she asks me “Do I look all right?”.And I say,
| C | D |
“Yes, you look wonderful tonight”.
Instrumental 1
| G | D/F# | C | D |
Verse 2
We go to a party and everyone turns to see.
This beautiful lady, who’s walking around with me.
Chorus 2
| C | D | G D/F# | Em |
And then she asks me “Do you feel all right?”.
| C | D | G | D/F# |
And I say, “Yes, I feel wonderful tonight”.
Middle 8
| C | D | G D/F# | Em |
I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes.
| C | D | C | D |
Then the wonder of it all is that you just don’t realize, how much I love you.
Instrumental 2
||: G | D/F# | C | D :||
Verse 3
It’s time to go home now and I’ve got an aching head.
So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.
Chorus 3
| C | D | G D/F# | Em |
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light.
| C | D | G D/F# | Em |
I say, “My darling you were wonderful tonight”
| C | D |
“Oh, my darling, you were wonderful tonight”
Outro
||: G | D/F# | C | D :|| G |
Wonderful Tonight Chords: Master the Subtle Progressions and Guitar Melodies
Wonderful Tonight is a masterclass in minimalistic ballad writing. The chords are simple yet effective, and the guitar melody hits all the right notes.
Verse
The chord progressions subtly evolve throughout the song. It begins with the section used for the intro, verse, instrumental, and outro:
||: G (I) | D/F# (V/3) | C (IV) | D (V) :||
Chorus
The chorus follows a similar progression but starts on the C chord, creating a slightly different feel:
| C (IV) | D (V) | G (I) D/F# (V/3) | | Em (VI) | C (IV) | D (V) |
The only addition in the chorus is the Em chord, and the G and D/F# now share a bar—genius in its simplicity!
For a deeper understanding, including a full chord analysis and an exploration of the intro melody, be sure to check out the TAB lesson here: Wonderful Tonight – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
In the TAB section, you’ll study the melody in detail and learn how to express it through techniques like slides, hammer-ons, and vibrato. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore the melody across all four remaining CAGED shapes, giving you plenty of options to experiment with.
Mastering these techniques will enhance your improvisational skills. Once you’ve absorbed these lessons, you’ll only need a simple chord chart to help you play with confidence.
Wonderful Tonight Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro
Should you want to download this chart, here’s a PDF: Wonderful Tonight chord chart PDF.
This chord chart was created using iReal Pro, here’s a link to that file: Wonderful Tonight iReal Pro. Using this and the iRealPro app, you can change the key.
Wonderful Tonight TAB | Course Preview
In the course, we explore how to add expression to the instrumental melody by using slides, hammer-ons, and bends.
As a preview, here’s the starting point—playing it completely straight. Notice the intervals below the TAB; understanding these will help you write similar melodic hooks.
Did Wonderful Tonight Contribute to George Harrison and Patti Boyd’s Divorce?
The song Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton is often associated with the complex and emotional relationships that were part of his life, particularly with Patti Boyd. Boyd was married to George Harrison of The Beatles before divorcing him in 1977, the same year the song was released. She then married Clapton two years later.
While it’s difficult to definitively say how much Wonderful Tonight played a direct role in the breakdown of Boyd and Harrison’s marriage, the timing is notable. The song, written by Clapton about Boyd, could certainly have added emotional strain to an already turbulent relationship. However, it’s likely that other personal and emotional factors were more significant contributors to their divorce.
In short, while Wonderful Tonight may have been a reflection of Clapton’s feelings for Patti, its role in their relationships is part of a broader, complex personal history.
Wonderful Tonight Chords: Continue Learning
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy:
